"I know, it's really hot out there," Ella Quint replied with a smile as she stood by the only air-conditioning unit.

It's 30 minutes before show time and the mood backstage at Las Cruces' West End Art Depot on a Friday night late last month is frantic. Performers gather around a mirrored panel that leans against a wall, while taking turns applying eye makeup, blush, Aqua Net hairspray, and most importantly, a generous amount of glitter that is constantly applied and re-applied over any exposed skin.

Some performers practice dance routines, while others warm up their voices. Some have forgotten eyelashes or glue, or just need a bit of reassurance to calm their nerves.

"Performance nights are absolutely manic, but in the best possible way," Ella Quint said.

"With so many troupe members trying on costumes and changing between acts, it can get hectic, but we try to help each other out in every way possible. The camaraderie backstage is sensational."

Meanwhile, house music blasts and a line snakes out the door at WeAD, an old train depot turned art gallery/work space, 401 N. Mesilla St. Inside, nearly every seat has been taken.

A towering presence enters the room from backstage, and the room breathes a collective sigh of relief as the evening's emcee, Leggs McGee, warms up the crowd with some (ahem!) colorful banter.

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She reviewed the rules of engagement between the audience and performers. In a few words: Be respectful, have fun, or leave.

"Leggs has always been a crowd-pleasing performance artist and an activist all throughout the Southwest. Her personality and humor are not an act, she makes a lasting impression," Cinema said.
The audience seems to love every bit of it.

"It's great fun," said attendee Mark Sanchez, who had never been to a burlesque show before. "A bit out of my comfort level, but fun.

The Strangeluvs burlesque member Lucy La Bamba dances to "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" during their performance "Lucy Loves Cinema" at the West End Art Depot. (Carlos Javier Sanchez / Las Cruces Sun-News)

"

The heart is confidence

Cinema said burlesque might seem silly to people who see it simply as a good time. For performers, it can be mentally exhausting. Inspiration comes from everywhere - even a simple photograph - and meticulous research goes into finding songs, creating first-class costumes on a budget and honing performances.

"The biggest part of the mental prep is doubting yourself," Cinema said. " Doubting if you feel weird about your appearance or your ability or even if your other responsibilities are hindering your focus."

The members of her current troupe, she said, support each other and work on the tasks at hand until they have built the courage and strength to nail a performance.

The Strangeluv's emcee Leggs McGee interacts with the crowd during a show at the West End Art Depot in Las Cruces. (Carlos Javier Sanchez / Sun-News )

The preparation paid off during this particular show, "Lucy Luvs Cinema," which took place June 27 and 28, as performers selectively revealed their bodies with playful humor and tease. Acts inspired by films like "Hannibal," "Across the Universe," "The Wizard of Oz" and "A Clockwork Orange" were rewarded by hoots and hollers from the audience.
"When it came to this show, (the theme) made things so much easier, because film is an extreme passion of mine, but so much more difficult for the same reason," performer Adonis Malone said.

He performed two acts. The first, "Jailhouse rock," showcases one of his biggest influences: Elvis. For his second act, he chose a "Rocky" theme.

During intermission audience members said they enjoyed what they had seen.

"So far so good," Maria Rodriguez said. "It was great seeing a guy do burlesque for a change."

A group of women commended the troupe for getting up on stage and doing something they wouldn't dare.

"Good for them. You wouldn't catch me on stage in a million years. It takes a lot of courage to get up there and perform in front of a group of strangers like that," said Elaine Goodman.

"It's great to be able to come out on a weekend and see this type of show in Las Cruces, it really is," said Elizabeth Gallegos.

Strangelove: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Burlesque

The Strangeluvs troupe was created by Cinema and Lucy La Bamba last year. Both previously performed with another local burlesque troupe, but wanted a space to be more creative and collaborative.

The Strangeluvs burlesque member Adonis Malone dances to a "Jail House Rock" inspired performance during their performance "Lucy Loves Cinema" at the West End Art Depot. (Carlos Javier Sanchez / Sun-News)

They quickly began organizing their efforts as co-directors of the new venture.

"Lucy and I had a big vision that was against the waves of that troupe at the time," Cinema said. "In a month, we had our name, a couple of new faces to burlesque art and a fan following."

Most of the performers in The Strangeluvs are in their early- to mid-twenties, grew up in or around the Las Cruces region and, even if they are new to Burlesque, have in one way or another been attracted to the performing arts.

"I am a burlesque performer because I think it is a beautiful art form that showcases the human body in a seductive but thoughtful manner," Ella Quint said. "I am a fan of a lot of retro and nostalgic arts, so when I stumbled upon the burlesque scene, I was highly intrigued. With a theatre and dance background, it just seemed like a good fit for me."

Cinema grew up around the pinup and rockabilly culture, and her look attracted the attention of local photographers and filmmakers.

"I was always a Dita Von Teese fan because she was the only famous person in modern times that I felt I related to. When you watch her public persona, she is modest, graceful, and seemingly herself. The second she gets on stage, her confidence alone seduces you."
For Lucy La Bamba, one of her biggest influences in the burlesque world is Cha Cha Burnadette, who revived burlesque in Las Cruces.

"She is one of the most inspiring performers, and every time I talk to her she tells me to push myself farther," La Bamba said. "She's one of those performers that you just absolutely cannot take your eyes off of, and that's how I want to be some day."

Keep calm and carry on

Not every show will go off without a hitch. The key, Lucy La Bamba said, is to stay calm.

"The audience can feel if you're stressed out and it definitely shows in your routines if you're worried about something. If music cuts off, you end gracefully; if your pastie pops off, you put your hand over yourself and keep dancing. ... Laugh it off later and learn from it."

Adonis Malone adds that "improve is a performer's best friend" and that "the performance only stops if you're dead."

It's hard for many of the troupe members to choose a favorite part of the burlesque experience, but one aspect most of them could agree on is their love of performing in front of a live audience.

"My absolute favorite part of doing burlesque is how I feel about my body when I hear people screaming and cheering for me. I have struggled with body issues for most of my life and with eating disorders throughout my teen years," Lucy La Bamba said. "When I started doing burlesque, I gained so much confidence and got so much healthier. I love to perform because I know I look great and that makes me feel great. Burlesque has helped me overcome so much of my self-consciousness and I really do feel beautiful and sexy when I perform."

Cinema has similar feelings about the art.

"(Burlesque) is the only thing in my life that still makes me nervous and deeply confident at the same time. Because when I see body shaming around me constantly, but then I see a very petite girl and a voluptuous woman with equal confidence, zeal and support, I fall in love with the art all over again."

To these performers, burlesque has everything to do with positive body image, self-empowerment and conquering the stereotypes surrounding human bodies.

Carlos Javier Sanchez is a multimedia journalist at The Las Cruces Sun-News and may be reached at 575-541-5449.

See them perform

Keep up with the troupe and find out about future performances on Facebook at facebook.com/Thestrangeluvsburlesque